Fly Fishing Reports
October - December 2008 |
December
16, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is on the low side with
generators running for only an hour or so a day. Trout fishing
is good on Power Bait, nightcrawlers and wax worms floated with
a marshmallow.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said the only water releases at the Greers Ferry project
in the past few weeks occurred on Nov. 21, Dec. 5 and Dec. 8.
They were all small releases with short duration. Wade fishing
has been possible and productive somewhere on the Little Red
every day. The average temperature of the water flowing through
the turbines has been 52 degrees. The average dissolved oxygen
content of that water was 4.3 parts per million with a high DO
level of 6.5 ppm. Incredible spawn reports keep coming in every
day. At Winkley Shoal and elsewhere, the same redds (fish -nests-)
are being used repeatedly. Wade fishermen report spotting at
least 100 brown trout over 20 inches long with a few pushing
30 inches in body length. One angler, Ryan Burks, had a trout
on his fly that took all his fly line and 100 yards of backing
before it broke off. Ryan told me the trout was over 30 inches
in length. Anglers are reporting catches (and releases) of over
50 brown trout per day per angler. One experienced fly fisherman
commented to me that he did not have enough skill to land some
of the larger ones he has been seeing. Excitement is in the air
as our spawn continues into its second month. Aquatic insect
hatches continue as per previous reports. Midges, caddis flies
and mayflies are the primary cast of characters. The dry flies
that are working, and they are working, include the midge (#22;
cream or black), para Adams (#18), blue winged olive mayfly (baetis,
#18-#22), tan elk hair caddis (#18-#20) and crackleback (#14).
If you are testing your skills below the surface, try a sowbug
(#14; UV tan, UV light gray, peacock or olive), zebra midge (#16;
red or black), egg pattern (#12-#14; roe, peach, salmon or watermelon),
pheasant tail (#16), gold ribbed hare's ear (#14-#16), copper
john (#14-#16), San Juan worm (#12-#14; red, fl. cerise or worm
brown), red butt soft hackle (#14-#16) and woolly bugger (#8-#10;
olive, brown or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Sportsman's White
River Resort had no report.
John Berry from Berry Brothers
Guide Service said with the lower flows on the White, there has
been more challenging boat navigation. All of the rocks we have
been flying over for the last several months are now poking out
and looking for your boat. It is time to put your low water propeller
back on and slow down a bit. Be on the look out for navigation
hazards. Remember that the river will be changed from the flooding
this spring. This will be the first time we see several spots
that have been under a lot of water since then. The river from
the state park down to White Hole has been fishing well in the
lower water. The go-to flies during the past week have been brightly
colored egg patterns. The best color seems to change every day.
Be sure and carry a variety of colors that include pink, peach
and orange. Other productive flies have been sowbugs, olive scuds
and zebra midges. Olive woolly buggers on sink-tip lines are
also producing some nice fish. The catch-and-release section
at Rim Shoals also is fishing well. The fishing has been better
in the morning. With the current level of generation, there is
a significant amount of wading available. While a significant
amount of it is available by trail even more is accessible by
boat. If you do not have access to a boat, stop by Rim Shoals
Trout Dock and take advantage of their water taxi. For a nominal
fee they will drop you off at one of the spots available and
pick you up later in the day.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry
from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the fishing on the Norfork
has been a bit spotty. One day it is excellent and the next day
slow. The better fishing has been in the afternoon and the upper
river seems to be fishing better than the lower river. The go-to
flies have been micro San Juan worms in pink and worm brown.
Orange egg patterns also have done very well. In the higher water,
you will have to fish with substantial amounts of weight. Concentrate
on fishing the banks and grass beds. Dry Run Creek is fishing
well as always. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms,
egg patterns and olive woolly buggers.
Spring River: Spring River Fly Shop said water levels are running
very low with great clarity. Tuesday's rain will help bring water
levels back up to normal. There have been heavy hatches of white
midges this week. Caddis and mayfly hatches have not been steady
but nymphs are thick on the river bottom. Have been having great
success with mayfly emergers made with ostrich herl and small
white woolly buggers tied with white ostrich herl on size 12
hooks. The fish have really been concentrating on the bottom
this week.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said that the Corps is operating
a continuous flow of water from Blakely, Carpenter, and Remmel
Dam in an effort to bring Lake Ouachita down to elevation 575
by Christmas. The 3-foot drawdown of Catherine should be completed
soon. The lake will remain 3 feet below normal pool until mid-March.
Rainbow trout fishing below the dam has been fair with anglers
using many methods to catch trout. Fly-fishermen have done well
with small streamers in the current as rainbows chase injured
shad. Micro- jigs in white or black are also producing along
with the San Juan worm fished under a strike indicator. Bank
fishermen using Power Bait and nightcrawlers have recorded limits
in areas of low current. Boaters are landing larger trout by
trolling the channels with small crankbaits that imitate minnows
and crayfish. Rainbow trout are an opportunistic fish and will
actively feed on whatever nature provides, so fishermen are able
to take advantage of this fact. Trout fishing will become much
better in January as the stocking program intensifies. Guided
trips that produce 50 or more fish are common during the months
of January and February.
December
4, 2008 - White River - Submitted by Berry Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY FISHING REPORT 12/04/2008
Despite a minor rain event during the past week, the lakes in
the White River system continue their speedy decline. The lake
level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three feet to rest at power pool
of 654.00 feet. This is forty one feet below the top of flood
pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake rose eight tenths of a foot
to rest at one and three tenths of a foot below power pool or
seventeen and three tenths feet below the top of flood pool.
Beaver Lake fell one and five tenths feet to rest at three and
four tenths feet above power pool or six and two tenths feet
below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White was for
heavy generation around the clock. Now that power pool has been
reached the generation has been ramped down significantly. Norfork
Lake has fallen three and three tenths of a foot to rest at two
and one tenth feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty
five and nine tenths feet below the top of flood pool. There
has been heavy generation on the Norfork around the clock. Boating
conditions on the Norfork has been good.
Now that power
pool has been reached and generation has decreased, there is
some quality wading available on the White. They are drawing
down Beaver and it should reach power pool in one and a half
weeks. Table rock is below power pool. The Norfork is dropping
over three feet a week and the lake is about two feet above power
pool. If it continues to fall at the same rate, it should reach
power pool this week. These are my estimates and are based on
no major rain events occurring during this period.
When the lakes
reach power pool, control over generation passes from the Corps
of Engineers to South West Power Administration. When in power
pool generation is based on electrical demand. With mild weather,
and a slow economy, we could expect reduced flows if not an occasional
period of no generation. Most generation would occur during peak
usage hours. This is generally on week day afternoons.
The Catch and
Release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on
November 1, 2008. It will remain closed until February 1, 2009
for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom of this
Catch and Release section downstream to the wing wall at the
State park is seasonal Catch and Release for the same time period.
With the lower
flows on the White, there has been more challenging boat navigation.
All of the rocks we have been flying over for the last several
months are now poking out and looking for your boat. It is time
to put your low water propeller back on and slow down a bit.
Be on the look out for navigation hazards. Remember that the
river will be changed, from the flooding this spring. This will
be the first time we see several spots that have been under a
lot of water since then.
The river from
the state park down to White Hole has been fishing well in the
lower water. The go to flies during the past week have been brightly
colored egg patterns. The best color seems to change every day.
Be sure and carry a variety of colors that include pink, peach
and orange. Other productive flies have been sowbugs, olive scuds
and zebra midges. Olive woolly buggers on sink tip lines are
also producing some nice fish.
The Catch and
Release section at Rim Shoals is also fishing well. The fishing
has been better in the morning. With the current level of generation,
there is a significant amount of wading available. While a significant
amount of it is available by trail even more is accessible by
boat. If you do not have access to a boat, stop by Rim Shoals
Trout Dock and take advantage of their water taxi. For a nominal
fee they will drop you off at one of the spots available and
pick you up later in the day.
Crooked Creek
has slowed considerably. The water temperature has dipped below
fifty five degrees and the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The fishing
on the Norfork has been a bit spotty. One day it is excellent
and the next day slow. The better fishing has been in the afternoon
and the upper river seems to be fishing better than the lower
river. The go to flies have been micro San Juan worms in pink
and worm brown. Orange egg patterns have also done very well.
In the higher water, you will have to fish with substantial amounts
of weight. Concentrate on fishing the banks and grass beds. If
you are not in the Catch and Release section try a two fly rig
with a sowbug or scud as the dropper.
Dry Run Creek
is fishing well as always. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San
Juan worms, egg patterns and olive woolly buggers. Take the biggest
net that you can lay your hands on. Most big fish are lost at
the net. I have found my long handled boat net to be the perfect
for Dry Run Creek. Don't forget the camera. Since your youngster
will probably catch the biggest fish of their life, you will
want to record that memory. My daughter and I still cherish the
photos we took there many years ago.
November 26, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
-
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River:
Lindsey's Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is running low.
Trout are biting well on corn and nightcrawlers. Brown trout
are in spawn/post-spawn stages right now. Salmon eggs are working
well, but stay out of the moss. Morning is providing the best
bite.
Jed Hollan at
the Little Red Fly Shop said the only water releases since Nov.
21 were on Dec. 2. In general, all the shoals are wadable and
the fishing has been good. The dissolved oxygen content of the
lake/river water continues to be a problem with readings averaging
4.5 parts per million at the dam. The average temperature of
the water flowing through the turbines is a chilly 52 degrees.
Aquatic insect hatches have become quite predictable of late.
Midges are hatching every afternoon with blue winged olive mayflies
and caddis flies in the mix until dark. Most aquatic insects
-come off- at the most pleasant time of the day. Not coincidentally,
around 3 p.m., the larger trout move onto the shoals. The dry
flies that are actually working include the BWO (#18), caddis
fly (#18-#20; tan), midge (#22; cream or black) and para Adams
(#18). If you are fishing sub-surface, tie on a sowbug (#14;
olive, UV tan, UV gray or peacock), zebra midge (#16; red or
black), red butt soft hackle (#14), copper john (#14), hare's
ear (#14), pheasant tail (#16), egg pattern (#12; salmon, cerise,
peach or yellow), San Juan worm (#12-#14; red, fl. cerise or
worm brown) and woolly bugger (#8-#10; olive, brown or black).
Remember, if you are fishing with a -non-swimming insect- pattern,
don't make your fly appear to be swimming. The brown trout spawn
continues to improve with each passing day. There are a few spawning
shoals on the river that have yet to have redds. Dozens of 22-
to 24-inch brown trout have been caught and released this season
and one 29-inch brown was reported.
Lake Valencia
in Maumelle: Hatchet Jack's Sport Shop said the water is stained
and at normal level. Trout are being caught on Power Bait.
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River:
Sportsman's White River Resort said the water is murky. Six generators
are running and the level fluctuates from high to low throughout
the day. Trout fishing is excellent on Power Bait. Rapala floating
minnows are working very well. Fly-fishing should pick up once
the water level drops.
Mountain River
Fly Shop had no report.
John Berry from
Berry Brothers Guide Service said the generation on the White
River has slowed to allow for more generation on the Norfork.
The catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals Dam closed to
all fishing on Nov. 1, 2008. It will remain closed until Feb.
1, 2009, for the brown trout spawn. The section from the bottom
of the catch-and-release section downstream to the wing wall
at the state park is seasonal catch-and-release for the same
time. Fishing on the White River has been a generally good. Dissolved
oxygen levels have improved the bite significantly. The river
is stained from the breakdown of organic material and the water
is still a bit warm for this time of year. The river from the
state park down to White Hole has been the hot spot. The go-to
flies have been brightly colored San Juan worms. The best color
seems to change every day. Carry a variety of colors that include
hot fluorescent pink, cerise, red and fluorescent orange. The
catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals has fished a bit better,
but not as well as the upper river. The fishing has been better
in the morning. The hot flies for this area have been hot pink
or cerise San Juan worms. With the lower flows, it is once again
possible to wade below the second island. If you do not have
access to a boat, stop by Rim Shoals Trout Dock and take advantage
of their water taxi. For a nominal fee they will drop you off
at the island and pick you up later in the day.
Norfork Tailwater:
John Berry from Berry Brothers Guide Service said low wadable
water on the Norfork is now a distant memory as they are generating
at a high level. The fishing is still good. The go-to flies have
been San Juan worms in pink, worm brown and red. Orange egg patterns
have also done very well. In the higher water, you will have
to fish with substantial amounts of weight. Concentrate on fishing
the banks and grass beds. If you are not in the catch-and-release
section try a two-fly rig with a sowbug or scud as the dropper.
Dry Run Creek is still fishing well. During the past week I heard
reports of several very large rainbows being caught. The hot
flies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms, egg patterns and olive
woolly buggers.
Mountain River
Fly Shop had no report.
Spring River:
Spring River Fly Shop said fishing conditions remain the same.
Water levels are still running fairly low with great clarity.
Egg patterns have been the favorite. Cold temperatures have become
a factor as winter moves into the area. Always remember to dress
in layers and to wear wool garments because they remain warm
even when they become wet.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Hamilton:
Larry Hurley from Poorman's Guide Service said crankbaits in
crawfish colors proved to be the best lures on Hamilton. Fish
the flats just off the creek channels for the best results. Boat
docks with brush have been very productive on sunny days.
Lake Catherine:
Shane Goodner, owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said the
lake continues to fall very slowly as repairs continue at Blakely
Mountain Dam. Work is scheduled to be complete Dec. 8. There
is no scheduled generation at Carpenter Dam other than what is
needed for local rainfall. The tailrace waters are lightly stained
from lack of a regular flow; however, visibility is still good
and hasn't affected feeding patterns. Rainbow trout are being
caught from the bridge to the dam as these fish chase shad and
hatching insects. Fly fishermen are taking advantage of the falling
water and are able to wade to areas that hold trout. Egg patterns
and micro jigs are working well fished under a strike indicator.
Bank fishermen using redworms and nightcrawlers have caught the
largest fish which have measured over 15 inches. Boaters have
recorded limits of fish by trolling the main channels with small
crankbaits that imitate shad or crayfish. Trout fishing will
continue to improve as the stocking program intensifies as the
new year approaches.
November 28, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 11/27/2008
Though there has been a minor rain event during the past week,
the lakes in the White River system continue their speedy decline.
The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell four feet to rest at three
feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty eight feet
below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell
four tenths of a foot to rest at two and one tenths of a foot
below power pool or eighteen and one tenth feet below the top
of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot to rest
at four and nine tenths feet above power pool or four and seven
tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White
is for heavy generation around the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen
two and one tenth of a foot to rest at five and four tenths feet
above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty two and six tenths
feet below the top of flood pool. There has been heavy generation
on the Norfork around the clock. Boating conditions on the White
and Norfork have been uniformly good.
The generation on the White
river has slowed a bit to allow for more generation on the Norfork.
The White River is currently dropping approximately four feet
per week and the lake is about three feet above power pool. If
the lake were to continue dropping at the same rate, it should
be at power pool this week. The Norfork is dropping almost three
feet a week and the lake is about five and a half feet above
power pool. If it continues to fall at the same rate, it should
reach power pool in two weeks or early December. These are my
estimates and are based on no major rain events occurring during
this period.
When the lakes reach power pool,
control over generation passes from the Corps of Engineers to
South West Power Administration. When in power pool generation
is based on electrical demand. With mild weather, and a slow
economy, we could expect reduced flows if not an occasional period
of no generation. Most generation would occur during peak usage
hours. This is generally on week day afternoons.
The Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008.
It will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown trout
spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release
section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal
Catch and Release for the same time period.
The fishing on the White River
has been a generally good. Dissolved oxygen levels have improved
the bite significantly. The river is stained from the breakdown
of organic material and the water is still a bit warm for this
time of year. With the Norfork back on line and running at the
maximum, the generation on the White has been ramped down significantly.
The fishing on the lower flows has been good.
The river from the state park
down to White Hole has been a bit of the hot spot. The go to
flies during the past week have been brightly colored San Juan
worms. The best color seems to change every day. Be sure and
carry a variety of colors that include hot fluorescent pink,
cerise, red, and fluorescent orange. I have had a bit of success
lately with worm brown. I would recommend double fly rigs in
this section with sowbugs, zebra midges and scuds used as droppers.
This could greatly increase the chances of a good hook up.
The Catch and Release section
at Rim Shoals has fished a bit better but not as well as the
upper river. The fishing has been better in the morning. The
hot flies for this area have been hot pink or cerise San Juan
worms. With the lower flows, it is once again possible to wade
below the second island. If you do not have access to a boat,
stop by Rim Shoals Trout Dock and take advantage of their water
taxi. For a nominal fee they will drop you off at the island
and pick you up later in the day.
Crooked Creek has slowed considerably.
The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and
the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The low wadable water on the
Norfork is now a distant memory as they are generating at a high
level. The fishing is still good. The go to flies have been San
Juan worms in pink, worm brown and red. Orange egg patterns have
also done very well. In the higher water, you will have to fish
with substantial amounts of weight. Concentrate on fishing the
banks and grass beds. If you are not in the Catch and Release
section try a two fly rig with a sowbug or scud as the dropper.
Dry Run Creek is still fishing
well. During the past week I heard reports of several very large
rainbows being caught. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San Juan
worms, egg patterns and olive woolly buggers. Be sure and use
larger tippet here than you would normally use, as the fish are
significantly larger on average than any where else that I know
of. I generally use 4X.
November
26, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water clarity is improving and
the generators are only running for short periods, offering good
wading water. Trout fishing is good on corn and wax worms. Spin-fishermen
are catching some good browns on Little Cleos and Rooster Tails
as well.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said low river water continues to be the norm with only
occasional water releases at Greers Ferry. Wade fishing is possible
at every shoal on the Little Red right now. Our low dissolved
oxygen seems to be turning around. Readings as high as 5.7 parts
per million were recorded the other day near the dam with the
water temperature at 55 degrees. The brown trout spawn is producing
some incredible catches. I can't begin to tell you how many customers
are reporting browns caught and released in the upper end of
our slot (24 inches). In their full spawn colors, the trout appear
to be lit from within. Because larger than average fish are going
to be common for the next month or two, heavier tackle is in
order. Switch to flies in size 14 or larger simply for the stronger
hook and heavier line and tippet is also a good idea. Aquatic
insect activity continues as per last week's report. Midges are
the most numerous bugs ruling the skies over the Little Red with
blue winged olive mayflies and caddis flies running a close second
and third. The dry flies that are working include midges, BWOs,
elk hair caddis and Adams. If fishing sub-surface, tie on a sow
bug (#14 with beadhead in UV tan, UV gray, peacock or olive),
zebra midge (#16 red, black or copper), red butt soft hackle
(#14), copper john (#14), gold ribbed hare's ear (#14), prince
(#14), pheasant tail (#16), egg patterns (#12 salmon, cerise,
pink, peach or yellow) and woolly bugger (#8-#10 olive, brown
or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Sportsman's White
River Resort said the water clarity is excellent. The river is
running high with 6 to 7 generators running. Trout are biting
well on spoons and small rubber worms. Good quality fish are
biting when the water is lower.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
oxygen levels topped 6.0 for the first time in several weeks
and fishing is improving. The cooler weather will help as well.
Some guides said the brown were much more aggressive, chasing
down streamers. White Zonkers, Circus Peanuts and Conrad Sculpins
are working well if you fancy throwing something big. Tungsten
Slumpbusters and Bunny Leeches are also working well. Drifting
the standard egg-and-worm rig remains hot where legal. Hot Pink
San Juans or Dynamite worms probably head the list, Clint's Sunday
specials and Davy's Sowbugs are also doing well.
John Berry from Berry Brothers
Guide Service said dissolved oxygen levels on the White River
have returned to normal, and trout stocking has resumed on the
upper 24 miles of the river above Rim Shoals. Fishing has been
generally good. Dissolved oxygen levels have improved the bite
significantly. With the Norfork not running water, they have
increased the generation level on the White from six generators
to seven. The state park area has been a bit of a hot spot. The
go-to flies have been orange San Juan worms and orange scuds
(size 18). Egg patterns have also been accounting for some nice
trout. The catch-and-release section at Rim Shoals has fished
a bit better than the upper river. The fishing has been better
in the morning. Hot flies for this area have been hot pink San
Juan worms and brightly colored egg patterns. For a change of
pace, try banging the bank with large streamers on a sink tip
or full sinking line.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry
from Berry Brothers Guide Service said there has been no generation
on Norfork. Wading conditions on the upper Norfork have been
excellent. With high generation on the White, the Norfork is
backed up to the Ackerman access making the lower Norfork unwadable,
but boating there is good. The Norfork has fished much better
during the last week. The low wadable water has definitely been
a welcome change from the never-ending flow. The oxygen injection
system has helped make the trout more comfortable and willing
to feed. The hot flies have been sowbugs, olive scuds, hot pink
San Juan worms, and orange eggs. Dry Run Creek is still fishing
well. It is also receiving the benefits of the oxygen injection
system. Cold weather has cut down on visitors during the last
week, but young anglers who fished were not disappointed. The
hot lies have been sowbugs, San Juan worms, eggs and woolly buggers.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
Low water is back on Norfork and its time to dig out your low-water
fly boxes, your 6x tippet and your waders. Midges (#16-#20) will
be very good. Camel midges, olive zebras, black/silver and black/copper
zebras, ruby midges and Davy's Super Midges all do very well.
Don't forget your sowbug and scud imitations. We will also expect
soft hackles to be very good. Tailwater soft hackles in green/yellow
and copper/brown were killers the last time we had low water.
For dry fly and emerger addicts can we suggest the Parachute
Adams, Morgan's Para Midge, Sprout's or Clint's Midge Emerger.
Spring River: Spring River Fly
Shop said water levels are running low and clear. There have
been some great opportunities for sight fishing. This week, crackleback
in a size 6 has been the go-to fly. Red San Juan worms and super
buggers in brown and olive have been producing nice fish also.
The leaves are done falling for the year and are no longer creating
a problem.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said that work at Blakely
Dam has slowed the drawdown. A 3-foot drop is planned but could
take another week or so for the lake to reach scheduled levels.
As winter temperatures set in, the threadfin shad population
has migrated away from the dam toward warm water. However, freezing
temperatures shock shad in Lake Hamilton which are then pulled
through the turbines, making an easy meal for trout. The November
stocking is complete, so anglers are now catching trout casting
Rooster Tails and Super Dupers in areas where current is slower
than the main channel. The fish are scattered and establishing
a solid pattern is difficult until the stocking program moves
into late December.
November
21, 2008 - Courtesty of Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
-
Lower Illinois: November 18. Elevation normal,
water 59 and clear. Trout slow on power baits on bottom above
Gore Landing. Report submitted by D. Tracy, Town of Gore.
Pawhuska Lake: November 18. Elevation normal, water
53 and clear. Trout excellent on spoons and in-line spinnerbaits
and good on power bait and marshmallows with 16-inch leaders
and on dry flies resembling mosquitoes well in evenings. Report
submitted by Spencer Grace, game warden stationed in Osage County.
Blue River:November 18. Elevation below normal,
water 48 and clear. Trout good on power bait, in-line spinnerbaits,
salmon eggs and flies. Report submitted by Matt Gamble, Fisheries
Biologist at the Blue River Public Fishing and Hunting Area.
Lower Mountain Fork River: Nov. 5. Trout slow in
zones 2 and 3. Report submitted by Beavers Bend Fly Shop.
November
19, 2008 - Courtesty of Arkansas Game and Fish Commission -
CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Little Red River: Lindsey's
Resort (501-302-3139) said the water is dingy with some generation
in the late afternoon. Trout fishing is good on wax worms, corn
and Power Eggs. Fly fishing is picking up as well.
Jed Hollan at the Little Red
Fly Shop said water releases at Greers Ferry are few and far
between. Power generation last occurred at the facility on Sunday
afternoon, Nov. 16. The quantity of water released was equivalent
to 1/3 of one generator's capacity and lasted five hours. The
female brown trout have moved onto the shoals in large numbers.
Redds have been spotted at Mossy Shoal, Cow Shoal and Winkley
Shoal. Male brown trout can be seen throughout the length of
Cow Shoal and three large browns have been caught there. Please
remember, if you come to the Little Red to fish the brown trout
spawn, there are a few simple rules that should be followed.
First, do not walk in the redds. A redd is an area of the streambed
that has been cleared of rocks, moss, sticks, etc. by the female
brown trout. This is her nest and should not be disturbed. Try
to cooperate with other anglers on the shoals by staying at least
one long cast away from them. Smash the barbs on your flies to
make releasing the fish easier. There have been no major changes
in the aquatic insect hatches since my last report. Midges remain
the dominant species buzzing over the Little Red with BWOs and
caddis flies in the mix. Dry flies are working well and the best
ones to use include midge (#22; cream or black), blue-winged
olive mayflies (baetis #18-#24), parachute Adams (#18) and elk
hair caddis (#16-#18; tan). Fishing below the surface? Try a
sowbug (#14-#16; UV tan, UV lt. gray, peacock or olive), red
butt soft hackle emerger (#14-#18), zebra midge (#16-#22; red
or black), pheasant tail (#16), copper john (#14-#16; red. green
or copper), gold ribbed hare's ear (#14-#16), egg patterns (#12-#16;
peach, pink, cerise or salmon) and woolly bugger (#8-#12; olive,
brown or black).
NORTH ARKANSAS
White River: Sportsman's White
River Resort said no anglers have visited the shop in a week.
The oxygen levels are up on the river and stocking should resume.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
oxygen levels topped 6.0 for the first time in several weeks
and fishing is improving. The cooler weather will help as well.
Some guides said the brown were much more aggressive, chasing
down streamers. White Zonkers, Circus Peanuts and Conrad Sculpins
are working well if you fancy throwing something big. Tungsten
Slumpbusters and Bunny Leeches are also working well. Drifting
the standard egg-and-worm rig remains hot where legal. Hot Pink
San Juans or Dynamite worms probably head the list, Clint's Sunday
specials and Davy's Sowbugs are also doing well.
John Berry from Berry Brothers
Guide Service said the catch-and-release section below Bull Shoals
Dam is closed until Feb. 1. The section from the bottom of the
catch-and-release area downstream to the wing wall at the state
park is seasonal catch-and-release until Feb. 1. Fishing on the
White River has been a bit better. Dissolved oxygen levels in
the upper river have improved and the colder weather has eased
the water temperatures. The section from the Narrows to Wildcat
Shoals is still fishing well. The most productive method has
been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms below indicators
with a lot of lead. For a change of pace, try fishing a dropper
like an orange egg, sow bug or zebra midge below the San Juan
worm. Banging the bank with large streamers on a sink tip or
full sinking line is still the most effective method to move
big fish. Hot patterns have been white zonkers, kiwi muddlers
and Mengle's Ozark sculpin. The catch-and-release section at
Rim Shoals has at times fished a bit better than the upper river.
The fishing has been spotty. The better fishing has been in the
morning. The hot flies for this area have been hot pink San Juan
worms and brightly colored egg patterns.
Norfork Tailwater: John Berry
from Berry Brothers Guide Service said the Norfork has fished
much better during the last week. It is suffering through even
lower dissolved oxygen levels than the White. The upper river
is fishing particularly poorly. The lower sections (from the
long hole down) have fished well. Hot flies have been hot pink
San Juan worms and orange eggs. Concentrate on fast riffles where
the dissolved oxygen may be a bit higher. Dry Run Creek (youth
only area) is absolutely red hot. The creek is choked with large
fish that have moved into it to take advantage of the higher
dissolved oxygen levels and cleaner water. With the cooler temperatures,
there has been very little pressure on it. Now is the best time
of year to visit. The hot flies are worm brown San Juan worms,
egg patterns (peach is the go-to color) and sow bugs.
Mountain River Fly Shop said
Low water is back on Norfork and its time to dig out your low-water
fly boxes, your 6x tippet and your waders. Midges (#16-#20) will
be very good. Camel midges, olive zebras, black/silver and black/copper
zebras, ruby midges and Davy's Super Midges all do very well.
Don't forget your sowbug and scud imitations. We will also expect
soft hackles to be very good. Tailwater soft hackles in green/yellow
and copper/brown were killers the last time we had low water.
For dry fly and emerger addicts can we suggest the Parachute
Adams, Morgan's Para Midge, Sprout's or Clint's Midge Emerger.
Spring River: Spring River Fly
Shop said cold weather can mean big fish on the Spring River.
The water is still clear and low, despite the rain from last
week. Leaves are beginning to clear out and have not been a problem
in the last couple of days for fishing. Fishing pressure has
been low. We've had great success with Super Buggers and Turk's
Tarantulas.
WEST-CENTRAL ARKANSAS
Lake Catherine: Shane Goodner,
owner of Catch'em All Guide Service, said that the winter drawdown
is underway and will be complete Nov. 23. The lake is falling
about 5 inches per day with a 3-foot overall drop planned. Lake
Catherine will remain 3 feet below normal pool until next March
when the refilling schedule begins for our area lakes. Rainbow
trout are to be stocked in the tailrace during the next two weeks
with 3,000 trout delivered in November. Trout stocking will continue
until April. White bass and hybrid bass activity has remained
good below the dam as the threadfin shad population holds steady
in the tailrace. Topwater action in shallow areas has provided
some exciting action with anglers casting into the feeding schools.
Zara Puppies and Zara Spooks in clear and silver are the best
choices; however, many bass have been taken with jigs and spoons.
Walleye fishing has been productive as these fish are actively
feeding on shad. Most of the action has taken place in the deep
water closest to the dam with jigging spoons or heavy jigs. Fishermen
need to pay close attention to generation schedules as moving
water is essential to regular fish feeding cycles. Boaters are
also urged to use caution when navigating the area as falling
lake levels will expose many underwater hazards.
November 20, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 11/22/2008
Though there has been a minor
rain event during the past week, the lakes in the White River
system continue their decline. The lake level at Bull Shoals
Dam fell four and six tenths feet to rest at seven feet above
power pool of 654.00 feet. This is thirty four feet below the
top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell five tenths
of a foot to rest at one and seven tenths of a foot below power
pool or seventeen and seven tenths feet below the top of flood
pool. Beaver Lake fell six tenths of a foot to rest at five and
four tenths of a foot above power pool or four and two tenths
feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White is
for very heavy generation around the clock. Norfork Lake has
fallen one tenth of a foot to rest at seven and five tenths feet
above power pool of 552.00 feet or twenty and five tenths feet
below the top of flood pool. There has been no generation on
the Norfork. Boating conditions on the White have been uniformly
good. Wading conditions on the upper Norfork have been excellent.
With high generation on the White, the Norfork is backed up to
the Ackerman access making the lower Norfork un wadable. The
boating there is good.
The White River is currently
dropping approximately four and a half feet per week and the
lake is about seven feet above power pool. If the lake were to
continue dropping at the same rate, it should be at power pool
in less than two weeks or early December. Currently the Norfork
has suspended generation. It should restart soon. When generation
stopped, the Norfork was dropping a foot and a half a week and
the lake is about seven and one half feet above power pool. If
it continues to fall at the same rate, it should reach power
pool in five weeks or late December. These are my estimates and
are based on no major rain events occurring during this period.
There has been no generation
on the Norfork River for the past week to accommodate a test
of an oxygen injection system. This system is designed to overcome
the negative effects of periods of low dissolved oxygen, like
the one we are now experiencing. The test began on November 13,
2008 and is scheduled to conclude on November 22, 2008. There
will be wadable water during the test.
The Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008.
It will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown trout
spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release
section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal
Catch and Release for the same time period.
The dissolved oxygen levels
on the white River below Bull Shoals Dam have returned to normal
(6 parts per million) and the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
has resumed stocking trout on the upper twenty four miles of
the river (above Rim Shoals). The fish that were not stocked
in the previous weeks were held at the state trout hatchery and
will now be released in the upper White.
The fishing on the White River
has been a generally good. Dissolved oxygen levels have improved
the bite significantly. With the Norfork not running water, they
have increased the generation level on the White from six generators
to seven.
The state park area has been
a bit of a hot spot. The go to flies during the past week have
been orange San Juan worms and orange scuds (size eighteen).
This is quite a bit smaller than usual. Egg patterns have also
been accounting for some nice trout.
The Catch and Release section
at Rim Shoals has fished a bit better than the upper river. The
fishing has been better in the morning. The hot flies for this
area have been hot pink San Juan worms and brightly colored egg
patterns. For a change of pace, try banging the bank with large
streamers on a sink tip or full sinking line. Hot patterns have
been white zonkers, kiwi muddlers and Mengle's Ozark sculpin.
Crooked Creek has slowed considerably.
The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and
the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down.
The Norfork has fished much
better during the last week. The low wadable water has definitely
been a welcome change from the never ending high water. The oxygen
injection system has helped make the trout more comfortable and
willing to feed. The hot flies have been sowbugs, olive scuds,
hot pink San Juan worms, and orange eggs.
Dry Run Creek is still fishing
well. It is also receiving the benefits of the oxygen injection
system also. There is a test running for the same period in the
National Fish Hatchery. All of the oxygenated water from the
Hatchery will end up in the creek. The lower temperatures have
cut down on visitors during the past week. Those that showed
up were not disappointed. The hot flies have been sowbugs, San
Juan worms, eggs and woolly buggers.
November 20, 2008 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop - Get yourself some low water fishing on Norfork
while it lasts and fishing on the White comes back with higher
DO levels.
NORFORK: All the excitement
has been on the Princess of Tailwaters. Lots of smaller -stockers-
eating flies with abandon, and then some healthier resident fish,
and a couple of hawgs.
Definately worth carrying some
egg patterns, San Juan's (#14 brown, red). Take some Tailwater
Soft Hackles, Jim's Midge Emerger and Anna Ks for the rising
fish which are really going on the chew from around 9am when
the sun starts hitting the water.
Zebras in Black and Copper,
Black and Silver, and Olive are very good, Olive WD40s are good
and of course the Davy Wotton Super Midges are always reliable.
WHITE RIVER: Streamer fishing
continues to provide the highlights on the White, with Clint
reporting in several nice 20Åç+ fish last weekend.
Deep drifted eggs and worms continue to be reliable. The river
isn't seeing a lot of traffic, which makes it a good time to
fish.
The lake level is now 7Åå
above power pool and dropping fast, around 8Åç a
day, bringing us close to normal power pool for the first time
since spring. Exactly what will happen when power pool is reached
is in the lap of the SouthWest Power, the Corp and the weather
gods.
We are hoping to see some mildish
winter weather, to hopefully open up some wading windows during
the day. Peak power demand during winter hits is in the Morning
and evening. Norfork also 7Åå from power pool is
more likely to see wadeable winter water.
We keep getting asked if there
will be low water for Thanksgiving. Well if it was our decision
yes, but I'm not going to bet anything valuable on low water.
As we mentioned before far more likely is low water for the Christmas-
New Year break. It will be a fun week.
November 13, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 11/15/2008
There has been a significant
rain event during the past week. Despite this the lakes in the
White River system continue their decline. The lake level at
Bull Shoals Dam fell three and nine tenths feet to rest at eleven
and six tenths feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is
twenty nine and four tenths feet below the top of flood pool.
Up stream, Table Rock Lake fell three tenths of a foot to rest
at one and two tenths of a foot below power pool or seventeen
and two tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake
fell five tenths of a foot to rest at six feet above power pool
or three and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The
pattern on the White is for heavy generation around the clock.
Norfork Lake has fallen one and five tenths of a foot to rest
at seven and four tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet
or twenty and six tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The
pattern has been to run one or two generators around the clock.
Boating conditions on the White and Norfork have been uniformly
good. There has been no safe wading.
The White River is currently
dropping almost four feet per week and the lake is about twelve
feet above power pool. If the lake were to continue dropping
at the same rate it should be at power pool in approximately
three weeks or early December. Conversely the Norfork is currently
dropping a foot and a half a week and the lake is about seven
and one half feet above power pool. If it continues to fall at
the same rate it should reach power pool in five weeks or mid
December. These are my estimates and are based on no major rain
events occurring during this period.
It should be noted that the
funnel effect is starting to be a factor. As the lakes draw down
there have a smaller surface area and are falling at a faster
rate despite generation remaining fairly constant.
The Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008
and will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown trout
spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release
section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal
Catch and Release for the same time period.
The fishing on the White River
has been a bit better during the past week. The dissolved oxygen
levels in the upper river have improved a bit and the colder
weather has eased the water temperatures.
The section from the Narrows
to Wildcat Shoals is still fishing well. The most productive
method has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms below
indicators, with a lot of lead. For a change of pace, try fishing
a dropper like an orange egg, sow bug or zebra midge below the
San Juan worm. Banging the bank with large streamers on a sink
tip or full sinking line is still the most effective method to
move big fish. Hot patterns have been white zonkers, kiwi muddlers
and Mengle's Ozark sculpin.
The Catch and Release section
at Rim Shoals has at times fished a bit better than the upper
river. The fishing has been spotty. The better fishing has been
in the morning. The hot flies for this area have been hot pink
San Juan worms and brightly colored egg patterns.
Crooked Creek has slowed considerably.
The water temperature has dipped below fifty five degrees and
the Smallmouth have pretty much shut down. The recent rain stained
the water and raised the water level a bit.
The Norfork has fished much
better during the last week. It is suffering through even lower
dissolved oxygen levels than the White. The upper river is fishing
particularly poorly. The lower sections (from the long hole down)
have fished well. The hot flies have been hot pink San Juan worms
and orange eggs. Concentrate on fast riffles where the dissolved
oxygen may be a bit higher.
Dry Run Creek is absolutely
red hot. The creek is absolutely choked with large fish that
have moved into it to take advantage of the higher dissolved
oxygen levels and cleaner water. With the cooler temperatures,
there has been very little pressure on it. Now is the best time
of year to visit. The hot flies are worm brown San Juan worms,
egg patterns (peach is the go to color) and sow bugs.
While you are there take a few
minutes to visit the National Fish Hatchery. They offer a fascinating
tour. Be sure and remove your waders before you enter the hatchery.
This is to prevent the spread of aquatic diseases.
November 13, 2008 - Norfork and White River - Submitted by Mountain River Fly Shop -
STOP PRESS: Low Water on Norfork
Tailwater for 9 days.
Dissolved oxygen levels are
climbing on the White and Norfork and the fishing is on the up.
WHITE RIVER: DO levels topped
six for the first time in several weeks and from all reports
we have been getting into the store the fishing is on the improve.
The cooler weather will help as well
Marc Poulos and Clint Wilkinson
both have reported better quality and quantity fishing than they
have had for a while. Clint today was saying the brown were a
lot more aggressive in chasing down streamers.
White Zonkers are still a good
bet, Circus Peanuts and Conrad Sculpins if you fancy throwing
something big, and Tungsten Slumpbusters and Bunny Leeches are
also working well.
Drifting the standard egg and
worm rig remains hot. Hot Pink San Juans or Dynamite worms probably
head the list, Clin's Sunday specials and Davy's Sowbugs are
also doing well.
NORFORK:
LOW WATER UPDATE: Low water
is back on Norfork and its time to dig out your low water fly
boxes, your 6x tipper and your waders Midges (#16-#20) will be
very good. Camel Midges, Olive zebras, Black and Silver &
Black and Copper Zebras, Ruby Midges, Davy's Super Midges and
White Tails will all do very well. The Journal also has a personal
thing for Olive WD40s on Norfork.
Don't forget your Sowbug and
Scud imitations. Trout Crack, Davy's Sowbugs, McLellan's Woven
V-Rib Sowbug for the former. For Scuds use McLellan's Hunchback
Scuds and Clint's Scud.
We will also expect Soft Hackles
to be very good. Tailwater Soft Hackles in Green/Yellow and Copper
Brown/Copper were killer last time we had low water. Jim's Midge
Emerger, and the Anna K series always score.
For dry fly and emerger addicts
can we suggest the Parachute Adams (we have them down to a 24),
Morgan's Para Midge, Sprout's or Clint's Midge Emerger.
HIGH WATER: While the DO has
climbed over 3ppm we have heard of some good fishing to be had
in the lower half of the tailwater where the natural reoxygenation
of the river by the riffles can take effect.
Eggs and worms are fishing well,
but also try midges, scuds and sowbugs trailing the brighter
attractor.
November 6, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 11/08/2008
There have been two minor rain
events during the past week. The lakes in the White River system
continue their decline. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell
three and four tenths feet to rest at fifteen and five tenths
feet above power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty five and
five tenths feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table
Rock Lake fell nine tenths of a foot to rest at nine tenths of
a foot below power pool or sixteen and nine tenths feet below
the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths of a foot
to rest at six and five tenths feet above power pool or three
and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on
the White is for heavy generation around the clock. Norfork Lake
has fallen one and six tenths of a foot to rest at eight and
nine tenths feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or nineteen
and one tenth feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern has
been to run one generator around the clock. Boating conditions
on the White and Norfork have been uniformly good. There has
been no safe wading.
The White River is currently
dropping a bit over three feet per week and the lake is about
fifteen feet above power pool. If the lake were to continue dropping
at the same rate it should be at power pool in approximately
five weeks or the middle of December. Conversely the Norfork
is currently dropping a bit over a foot a week and the lake is
about nine feet above power pool. If it continues to fall at
the same rate it should reach power pool in seven weeks or late
December. These are my estimates and are based on no major rain
events occurring during this period.
The Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals Dam closed to all fishing on November 1, 2008
and will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown trout
spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release
section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal
Catch and Release for the same time period.
The fishing on the White River
has been a really slow during the past week. The dissolved oxygen
levels in the upper river has dropped to two parts per million
(the state standard is six parts per million). This is a caused
by a natural phenomenon, the breakdown of organic matter in the
lake, and occurs every year. The lake turnover is in full swing
and the river is heavily stained. This year we also have slightly
higher than normal water temperatures that may also be affecting
the trout feeding patterns. These conditions have had the greatest
effect on the upper river from Bull Shoals down to White Hole.
The section from the Narrows
to Wildcat has fished relatively well lately. The most productive
method has been to fish brightly colored San Juan worms below
indicators, with a lot of lead. The technique that has been producing
the best fish has been to bang the bank with large streamers
on sink tip or full sinking lines. This is a lot of work but
the results can be fantastic. Try kiwi muddlers, Mengle's Ozark
sculpins and white zonkers.
The section from Cotter to the
bottom of Rim Shoals has at times fished a bit better than the
upper river. The fishing has been spotty. One day it is good
the next it is poor. The hot flies for this area have been hot
pink San Juan worms and brightly colored egg patterns.
Crooked Creek continues to fish
well. Hot flies have been Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns.
The creek is low and clear. This is the place to go if you just
have to wade. Watch the water temperature. Once it drops below
sixty five degrees the bite will slow. The section from Pyatt
to Snow has been fishing particularly well.
The Norfork has fished a bit
better during the last week. It is suffering through even lower
dissolved oxygen levels than the White. The upper river is fishing
particularly poorly. The lower sections (from the long hole down)
have fished reasonably well. The hot flies have been hot pink
San Juan worms and orange eggs. Concentrate on fast riffles where
the dissolved oxygen may be a bit higher.
Dry Run Creek is at prime. It
is absolutely choked with large fish that have moved into it
to take advantage of the higher dissolved oxygen levels and cleaner
water. There are few anglers there and this is the best time
of year to fish it. Grab your kids or grand children and show
the time of their lives. The hot flies have been worm brown San
Juan worms and small orange eggs. Carry a camera and the biggest
net you can lay your hands on.
October 30, 2008 - White River
- Submitted by Berry
Brothers Guides - JOHN BERRY
FISHING REPORT 10/30/2008
There has been no rain during
the past week and the lakes in the White River system continue
their decline. The lake level at Bull Shoals Dam fell three and
two tenths feet to rest at eighteen and nine tenths feet above
power pool of 654.00 feet. This is twenty two and one tenths
feet below the top of flood pool. Up stream, Table Rock Lake
fell three tenths of a foot to rest at power pool or sixteen
feet below the top of flood pool. Beaver Lake fell five tenths
of a foot to rest at seven feet above power pool or two and six
tenths feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern on the White
is for heavy generation around the clock. Norfork Lake has fallen
one and three tenths of a foot to rest at ten and five tenths
feet above power pool of 552.00 feet or seventeen and five tenths
feet below the top of flood pool. The pattern has been to run
one generator around the clock. Boating conditions on the White
and Norfork have been uniformly good. There has been no safe
wading.
The White River is currently
dropping a bit over three feet per week and the lake is about
nineteen feet above power pool. If the lake were to continue
dropping at the same rate it should be at power pool in approximately
six weeks or the middle of December. Conversely the Norfork is
currently dropping a bit over a foot a week and the lake is about
ten feet above power pool. If it continues to fall at the same
rate it should reach power pool in eight weeks or late December.
These are my estimates and are based on no major rain events
occurring during this period.
The Catch and Release section
below Bull Shoals Dam will close to all fishing on November 1,
2008 and will remain closed until February 1, 2009 for the brown
trout spawn. The section from the bottom of this Catch and Release
section downstream to the wing wall at the State park is seasonal
Catch and Release for the same time period.
The fishing on the White River
has been a really slow during the past week. The dissolved oxygen
levels in the upper river has dropped to two parts per million
(the state standard is six parts per million). This is a caused
by a natural phenomenon, the breakdown of organic matter in the
lake, and occurs every year. The lake turnover is in full swing
and the river is heavily stained. This year we also have slightly
higher than normal water temperatures that may also be affecting
the trout feeding patterns. These conditions have had the greatest
effect on the upper river from Bull Shoals down to White Hole.
The section from Cotter to the
bottom of Rim Shoals has fished a bit better than the upper river.
This area has a slightly higher dissolved oxygen level than you
may encounter up stream below Bull Shoals. The hot flies for
this area have been hot pink San Juan worms and brightly colored
egg patterns.
Crooked Creek continues to fish
well. Hot flies have been Clouser minnows and crayfish patterns.
The creek is low and clear. The section from Kelly Slab down
to Yellville Park as well as the lower section near the confluence
with the White River have been fishing particularly well.
The Norfork has fished poorly
the last week. It is suffering through even lower dissolved oxygen
levels than the White. The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
has suspended stocking operations for the time being. Once dissolved
oxygen levels have returned to normal they will continue their
stocking program. If you do fish the Norfork, concentrate on
fast riffles where the dissolved oxygen may be a bit higher.
Do not over play fish. Land them quickly and revive them carefully.
Dry Run Creek is fishing well
as always. A lot of brown trout have moved up in the creek and
it is absolutely choked with fish. There were plenty of large
trout in the creek already. The dissolved oxygen level is much
higher here than the Norfork and the trout are more comfortable
here. The hot flies as always are sow bugs, San Juan worms (worm
brown has been the hot color) and egg patterns (peach). There
have been few anglers here and it is the perfect time to introduce
the young anglers out there to trout fishing.
Back to
Current Fly Fishing Reports | Back to Zeiner's Fly Shop
Fly Fishing Reports 2008
Jan
- Mar | Apr - Jun
| Jul - Sept | Oct
- Dec
Fly Fishing Reports 2007
Jan
- Mar | Apr - Jun | Jul - Sept | Oct
- Dec
Fly Fishing Reports 2006
Jan
- Mar | Apr - Jun | Jul - Sept | Oct - Dec
Pre
2006 Fly Fishing Reports
Fishing
News Archives
Back to Fishing News from
Zeiner's Angler Supply | Kansas
Angler Online |
Swim
Tail Lures
|